Discovering Knowledge through Historiographic Metafiction: La novela de Peron and Santa Evita by Tomas Eloy Martinez

Abstract

The intent of this thesis is to illustrate the unique abilities of the historical novels La novela de Per??n and Santa Evita written by Tom? s Eloy Mart?Ánez, in drawing significant conclusions about the personas, personalities and lives of Argentina's most controversial leaders of the 20th century, Juan Domingo Per??n and Eva Duarte Per??n, as well as conclusions on the events, circumstances and peoples incorporating and surrounding their governance of Argentina. It is the assertion of this thesis that historical fiction or what contemporary critics call historiographic metafiction has the ability to investigate the underlying realities of past events and people by using a combination of documented history and educated inference to delve into pockets of history that have been untouched by historians and/or non-fiction works. I will be using both La novela de Per??n and Santa Evita in combination with non-fiction books and articles on both Juan and Eva as well as the genre of historical fiction as the basis for my study on whether or not a historical novel can render and comment upon historical knowledge more effectively than a non-fiction work studying the same subject.